Share your pin code stories!

[mdoll4]

I'm curious to hear other people's experiences with pin codes. Last year when I wasn't planning a trip to WDW, I got several pin codes. I almost planned a trip just because of them! This year, when I AM planning a trip (and staying on site), no pin codes. Obviously it could be coincidence, but then again it seems understandable that if I have a trip booked and am already planning to pay the full price, it'd be silly for Disney then go and make it cheaper. (It'd sure be nice, though!) Well I'm still praying for one, but I'd like to hear under what circumstances other people got their pin codes. Are you an AP holder? Every other year like me? Had you recently signed up for anything online? (I had received a DVC info package shortly before I got all my pin codes, I wonder if that had anything to do with it.)

26 days!

 

[Missytara]

You will find a wealth of information regarding pin codes on the discount codes and rates board on the top of this page.

 

[rao363]

Usually when I am trying to get a pin code, I will always order the vacation planning dvd on the disney website just so my email/ address gets re-entered into the system. However, when booking this year's trip, I had not received any pin codes, but when I called disney to price quote my trip I told the cast member that I was away on vacation and wanted to double check if their was a pin attached to my name(I was not on vacation,this was a little lie to get them to pull up my info) and sure enough I had a room discount pin offer under my name!!! I ended up getting 40% at the Polynesian! But like I said, I was not away on vacation and check my mail/email all the time and was NEVER notified about this discount! So when you call, make sure you say the same thing, just so they actually see if you do have a pin. All pins will always be linked to your name.

 

[pumba21]

We booked last August for this September and I got about 6 pin codes between then and March, but I haven't received since then.

 

[bellanotte10]

I apparently had a bunch applied to my name but only found out when my mom called to book things. I dunno if they just made that up to get her to stop calling (she's horrible about bugging them every day) or I really did have one, but for this trip I had at least 2

 

[carolina64]

i wanted a disposable map for my nephew for the magic kingdom so i ordered a personalized one from the main disney site. it asked me if i needed a hotel room and i said yes. i have received three mailings and two emails so far, each with the same offer, but a different pincode. the map and the mailings took maybe 10-12 days.

 

[nkereina]

I stayed one night last year room-only, no parks (after a cruise). I knew I wanted to plan a trip with my BF for his first time this year, so I signed up for the Vacation Planning DVD as suggested. I don't know if that worked but when I called to book my trip, I had a pin code for 40% off any resort, so I went with that at POR. I don't think I was ever notified of this by email or mail - I was always checking both for pin codes. But it was attached to my name when I called. When free dining came out, I called to get a price with that and for us it ended up being $50 MORE with the free dining promo than the pin code (we upgrade to DxDP). So the pin worked out well for us. One time I read about a lady who got a pin code for free deluxe dining at a deluxe resort... that is my dream

 

[becauseisaid]

I told the cast member that I was away on vacation and wanted to double check if their was a pin attached to my name(I was not on vacation,this was a little lie to get them to pull up my info) and sure enough I had a room discount pin offer under my name!!!

I've often wondered if this works only for those who have had recent (within the last 2 years) vacations at Disney.

 

[Elizabeth&ColinsDad]

We booked in January with no codes, then recieved a pin code in March 40% off and added it to our reservation. Then in July received another Pin Code and provided it to our TA who when they called and asked were told it dropped our cost another $100+ dollars.

 

[MSUmom]

I haven't been to Disney in 10 years. I booked a trip for 2 families in September for November of 2012. I have never heard of the codes before. What should I be watching for? I ordered a DVD and maps. Do I need to do something else too?

 

[bowbat]

We were booking a trip to Disney for November 2009. I sent away for the DVD, signed up for all the emails, etc. No pin code. I ended up booking with a "neighboring state" rate (we were living in GA at the time). Well, we ended up having to cancel that trip because we were moving to FL around that time. Shortly after we moved, I got my first 40% off pin. I kinda think it was because we booked then canceled, but maybe it was just coincidence.

The second time I got a 40% off pin, it was a bounceback. We stayed at Poly this March, and I got an email before we left telling me to be sure to check my emails while I was there. I received an email with a 40% off pin. Of course, I got a similar "check your email!" message from Disney before our stay at WL in October and that resulted in a big fat nothing.

Anyway, I don't think there's any real rhyme or reason to it. Good luck -- hope you get one!

 

[Missyrose]

I had an offsite trip planned for March 2012, but back in July started to daydream about an October trip for Food and Wine. I played around with dates on the Disney site and saved a few trips. And in August I received a pin code! So we booked the October trip and then ended up switching to AP discount since we were buying passes to cover both our trips.

 

[Miffy]

I was in WDW January 2009 and later canceled a planned trip in December 2009. In January 2011 I got an email PIN for 40% off deluxe and booked the trip in February before the PIN expired. I've never planned a WDW trip this far in advance (10 months), but now it's only 5 weeks away!

BTW, in the interim between canceling the 2009 trip and getting the PIN code, I did absolutely nothing. I didn't order any dvds, make tentative reservations, etc., etc., etc.

Don't know if this helps. I think there's no way of absolutely figuring out how to get one of these codes. Good luck to you!

 

[larryz]

Do I need to do something else too?

It might help if you register your email address on the official Disney site, and save a few vacation options to your account. Ordering the DVD and maps are both good steps.


Anything that makes Disney think you're thinking about a vacation with them can't hurt!

I'm starting to believe Mr Iger's comment about weaning the public off of deep resort discounts... there have been far fewer PIN reports this fall, and the only pins I've received since last spring were from DCL and Universal. Last year I had multiple room-only PINs and ultimately had to choose between those and a Free Dining PIN for the last week before the Christmas season. (We took the Free Dining, but won't do that again -- too much food!)

It's obvious, as well, that Disney doesn't see "Free Dining" as a true discount -- they're eating the cost of food and service to keep the resorts full (explaining the reported decline in quality/quantity of food service).

 

[MaleficentRN]

Three times in the last two months I've gotten PINs for 10% off Sun-Thurs. I'm guessing since my saved stay is from Thurs-Sunday they are trying to get me to extend my trip.
I wonder what will happen if I save a week long stay? I'll get back to you!